Carbon Body Parts For Protecting Bike On Track?

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by Monners, Aug 10, 2015.

  1. Does anyone have experience of running carbon fairings and other parts on track for extended periods of time? I know lots of people like them for the 'shiny' value but I want to know if they are actually tougher than the stock fairings (or standard track replacements) and likely to give extra protection in the event of a drop thats worth shelling out the extra cash for??
    I was lucky I did very little damage on my recent off at Rockingham other than the two ebay panels on one side but I have got gravel rash on the swing arm and all of a sudden protection for the swing arm and tank seems like a good idea as well!
     
  2. Carbon fibre can be very easy to damage with impact or abrasion. The stuff to use that is not is kevlar, but that is too heavy.
     
  3. It's light and less brittle than plastic and easy to repair. Kevlar weave better
     
  4. Carbon is no more or less resistant to impact and abrasion than fibre glass depending on how it is laid up and resin applied or pre impregnated. Any protection is better than nothing and I suspect that you will only find a swing arm protector in carbon. Crash bung protection has it's benefits and drawbacks no more demonstrated than at Brands last week. To my knowledge at least 3 bikes that went down heavily had their frames bent at the crash bung attachment point although the very pretty 749 was saved from more extensive damage after low siding at Graham Hill. Andy
     
  5. If I were putting protectors on covers etc is be using thick plastic instead. Or alli
     
  6. Gb racing covers and steering lock protectors, minimum requirement for a panigale, mag clutch covers wears through quickly and spew oil everywhere .
     
  7. Yeah, I shelled out for the GB racing covers, crash bungs, front and rear spindle protectors and tank protectors when I bought the bike and it was definately money well spent. The bigger parts are now the things I am interested in. I seriously considering a tank cover. I dont really like the aesthetics of them but tanks cost a fortune to replace so I think it's worthwhile. It sounds like there are not really any better options than getting normal track fairings of some sort as I already do for the panels.
     
  8. Like most protective parts. Carbon covers are their to do a job and be replaced once served their purpose.
    I've made loads of carbon and Kevlar parts and there's a good few factors to consider. Not least, weight, strength required and cost.
    Here's some current work. Swingarm covers, rear sets, case cover. IMAG0546.jpg
     
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  9. Ime carbon is great for crashing compared to anything but carbon/kevlar.

    Shit is seriously abrasion, crack, and shatter resistant compared to anything else I've used.
     
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